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10 startup ‘explainer videos’ I actually enjoyed

The ‘explainer video’ has come of age in the last couple of years as video production, hosting and sharing has become quicker, easier and slicker.

Lots of people, for example, have heard of, seen and enjoyed the Dollar Shave Club explainer video.

Making videos is a pretty big and burgeoning B2B sector now, with many SaaS vendors now targeting SMEs that want an affordable solution. These SaaS companies sit alongside pricier production studios, where explainer videos merge with the best creative video advertising.

So, although this has been done quite a bit before (I was sent this list over Christmas), I thought I’d compile a list of my favourite startup explainer videos.

What qualifies me to compile such a list? Simply that when an explainer video is done badly, nobody hates them as much as I do.

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Comments (14)

Hi Ben, I just wanted to say thanks for featuring a couple of our (Epipheo) videos in this article. It's an honor.

There are a lot of people here working hard, behind the scenes to create content that will not just relay information but that will create an epiphany. It's great to have people like yourself pick that up and notice the difference. Thanks!

Great article Ben, you posted a wide variation of explainer videos, each of which offer a unique way at approaching the target audience.
Feel free to check us out sometime as we tend to focus on the cartoon and characterized concepts.

This is a good list here. As a producer of explainer videos at Gisteo (www.Gisteo.com), I appreciate you taking the time to watch, critique and write about this topic!

The Bebo video is classic and should be at the very top of your list.

Gisteo also creates plenty of videos without voice overs so I'm a fan of those non-voice over examples you've cited.

Many of our clients have mentioned our own "Gisteo Guy" intro explaining what we do as the most creative, unique explainer from an explainer video production company out there...and, I cannot lie, it has been very effective so I wish it would have been included in your list.

Maybe it's because 10 months have passed since you posted this, but I find a couple on your list to be completely trite and burned out- eg Instagram Direct. Perhaps it's not their fault that too many people have jumped on that "hipster" bandwagon in the past year or so, but this video now looks almost like a parody.

The Flexminder script is good but the voice over and execution are a bit too much on the homespun side for my taste.

FYI- the Uber link is no longer working.

over 3 years ago

Liz Verano, Virtual Assistant at Process Street

Hey Ben, these suggestions are awesome and enjoyable! I am currently using Bebo and Uber for short videos but you just gave some other ideas like Instagram Direct, CashOut, New Relic, and they are splendid! I can’t wait to create another explainer video for my upcoming project!

Thanks for the great post and we also into the same business and we created remarkable videos too @ reasonable price. To Know more visit us www.brandlovevideos.com

about 3 years ago

Johnny Watts, Founder at Snappy Explainer Videos

Some very well designed videos here Ben! In fact it inspired me to write about the lessons you can learn from the top 5 explainer videos.... ever. You can read it here: http://goo.gl/hWA8Tv

almost 3 years ago

Marc Smith, Project Manager at The Cuillin Collective

No matter what your video is about, it needs production value (I'm mentioning this because of the inclusion of Flexminder). That wasn't a good explainer video. You might have the best script in the world but if it's not executed properly then the video will not do it's job. I only got 15 seconds into Flexminder before I gave up.

If the product is explained well and the production value high, the person watching it can then work out if they need your product/service or not. If they don't understand it or get to the end, 100% will not buy/sign up to your product or service!

As an explainer video producer who's been making them since 2009 I understand that some styles suit some companies better than others. Yes, some may think they're twee, but Hobbiton was twee and I still want to visit!
When making a video for a client we always listen to our clients thoughts. Yes, some are odd and we explain why we think they're odd. But they are their thoughts none the less and have to be listened to and acknowledge. The client knows their audience more than anyone so should be heard.

From what I've learned after making over 800 explainers is that there is no magic method. If you'd like to see our work then you can visit us at http://thecuillincollective.com/

Find popular websites to create an explainer videos using templates. Make some simple actions and voila, your video is ready. Not enough creativity for presentation of your unique product? Then, you may fit with the next option.

BE YOUR OWN PRODUCER

Jump start into study hundreds of hours video tutorials in the internet. Pick the right software. Take a course of motion design and learn the right software. Foster the sense of beauty. Get a bachelor’s of graphic design. You’ve got a couple of free years to do that, right? Is it too long? Then, you may fit with the next option.

BE A PROJECT MANAGER

Organize your team of freelance designers and animators, find a voice for the narration, track the working process...devote enough time to this And if all this takes too much time and efforts, and the results aren’t good enough… Well, there is one more option...

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